Scanning Method for Use in an Automated Analyser

ABSTRACT

A scanning method with simple mechanics for use in an automated analyser to scan objects or codes on objects. The invention enables one to move a scanning unit comprising a camera and two deflection mirrors and to set two different focus levels with one and the same drive unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/128,589, filed on Sep. 12, 2018, which claims priority toBritish Patent Application No. GB 1715182.0 filed on Sep. 20, 2017.

The aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The field of the invention relates to a device and a scanning method foruse in an automated analyser to scan objects or codes on objects.

Brief Description of the Related Art

Automated analyser systems for use in clinical diagnostics and lifesciences are produced by a number of companies. For example, the StratecBiomedical AG, Birkenfeld, Germany, produces a number of devices forspecimen handling and detection for use in automated analyser systemsand other laboratory instrumentation.

In clinical diagnostics and life sciences automated analyzers are usedfor tasks such as specimen handling, specimen preparation, detection,and analysis. Automated scanning systems are used in automated analyzersfor example for barcode reading and reading of two-dimensional codes toidentify objects such as receptacles and containers usually containing asample or reagent.

Due to its relatively small depth of field, a camera system needs to benewly focused or positioned for every object distance to be acquired. Inapplications wherein a scanning unit, comprising a camera and adeflection mirror, is moved and wherein different object distances areto be acquired, two drives are needed. One drive is needed to adapt thefocus level, while another drive is needed to move the scanning unit. Itis thus state of the art to use two separate drives, one for focussetting and one providing motion of the scanning unit. Alternatively, alaser scanner with larger depth of field is used in the art.

Published U.S. Patent Application No. US 2001/048029 A1 discloses anautomatic apparatus for reading bar codes consisting of a bar codereader, a reflecting member for reflecting light irradiated from the barcode reader to a bar code, a driving means for moving the reflectingmember on a travel path parallel to the direction of the irradiatedlight and at least one abutment part provided on said travel path. Afirst container setting part for setting first containers and a secondcontainer setting part for setting second containers are arranged onboth sides, respectively, of said travel path, and the reflecting membermay rotate between a first position to allow said bar code reader toread first bar codes of the first containers through the reflectingmember and a second position to allow said bar code reader to readsecond bar codes of the second containers through the reflecting member.It is a disadvantage of the disclosed device that the reflecting embercan only be orientated to one side and must be turned for reading barcodes on the opposite side. A further disadvantage is that the distancebetween reflecting member and bar code reader is fixed so that focusingto objects located in different distances will not be possible.

Published UK Patent Application No. GB 2537887 A teaches a system foridentifying a sample container or a reagent container or a rack, thesystem comprising loading module, a camera, an LED bar comprising atleast one LED, at least one mirror, at least one control PCBA and asledge, wherein the camera or the at least one mirror is mounted on thesledge with the at least one mirror positioned between the camera andthe container or rack so that the optical path of the camera isreflected at least once between the camera and the container or the rackto enable the camera to record or film at least one picture or frame ofthe container or rack as it is inserted into the module. The sledge ismotor-driven and moves to position the camera or the at least onemirror. The LED bar is positioned to illuminate the container. Ideally,a motion or proximity sensor detects a user's presence near the loadingmodule so that the system may be activated.

The disadvantages of the prior art using two drives are the complexmechanics, high maintenance costs, a high risk of default, large spacerequirement and high costs. The disadvantage of using a laser scanner onthe other hand is the small range of functions limited to the barcodereading function excluding additional functions such as reading of twodimensional codes, cap detection and others.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a device and a scanningmethod to scan objects or codes on objects with simple mechanics and abroad range of possible functions for use in an automated analyser.

The instant invention provides a scanning device for use in an automatedanalyser, the scanning device comprising a camera, a camera slide, adrive unit, one or two deflection mirrors and a deflection mirror mountwith an oblong hole, wherein the camera is positioned on the cameraslide, the deflection mirrors are mounted on the deflection mirror mountand the deflection mirror mount is connected to the camera slide overthe long hole, for adjusting the distance between camera and the one ortwo deflection mirrors.

It is envisaged that the drive unit comprises a stepping motor and atoothed belt.

The scanning device may further comprise a linear guidance guiding thecamera slide.

It is intended that a pre-loading guidance element is each installed atthe bottom side of the camera slide and at the bottom side of thedeflection mirror mount, such that the bottom sides of the camera slideand the deflection mirror mount comprises a pre-loading guidanceelement.

It is further intended, that the scanning device further comprises oneor two lamps mounted on one or two lamp mounts positioned on the cameraslide respectively next to the side of the camera.

The camera of the scanning device may comprise a red filter.

Moreover, the drive unit of the scanning device may further comprise anencoder.

In a further aspect, the device may comprise one V-shaped deflectingmirror with two angled deflecting sides for deflecting bar codes locatedat opposite sides of the device.

Furthermore, the instant invention provides a scanning method for use inan automated analyser, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   moving a scanning unit comprising a camera positioned on a        camera slide and one or two deflection mirrors mounted on a        deflection mirror mount with an oblong hole along a linear        guidance to a first position with the help of a drive unit,        wherein the camera slide is connected to the deflection mirror        mount over the long hole for adjusting the distance between        camera and the one or two deflection mirrors;    -   fixing the deflection mirrors at said position;    -   adjusting the distance between the camera and the fixed        deflection mirrors over the long hole to adjust the focus level,        by moving the camera with the help of the drive unit;    -   fixing the camera;    -   scanning an object and/or an ID code on an object by capturing        an image shown on the deflection mirrors with the camera;    -   processing the captured image.

In another aspect of the invention, the previous steps may be repeatedif desired until the last object and/or a code on an object has beenscanned.

It is intended that the scanning method for use in an automated analyserfurther comprises the step of choosing the position in that thedeflection mirrors are fixed such that the deflection mirrors catch theimage of an object and/or a code on an object.

It is further intended that the scanning method for use in an automatedanalyser further comprises the steps of fixing the deflection mirrors atsaid position with a pre-loading guidance element installed at thebottom side of the deflection mirror mount and fixing the camera isfixed with a pre-loading guidance element installed at the bottom sideof the camera slide.

The method may further comprise the step of illuminating the objectand/or code on the object to be scanned with a lamp mounted on a lampmount before the scanning step, wherein the lamp mount is installed onthe camera slide next to the side of the camera.

It is intended that moving steps are controlled by an encoder.

The method of the invention may further encompass one V-shapeddeflecting mirror with two angled deflecting sides being used fordeflecting bar codes located at opposite sides of the device

Furthermore, it is intended to use the scanning device an automatedanalyser system for scanning an object or an ID code on an object.

Still other aspects, features, and advantages of the present inventionare readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply byillustrating a preferable embodiments and implementations. The presentinvention is also capable of other and different embodiments and itsseveral details can be modified in various obvious respects, all withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded asillustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Additional objects andadvantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the descriptionwhich follows and in part will be obvious from the description or may belearned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionand the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of the scanning platform according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the scanning platform.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the scanning unit without deflectionmirrors and mirror mounts.

FIG. 4A is a side view of scanning unit adjusted to a first focus level.

FIG. 4B is a side view of scanning unit adjusted to a first focus level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem is solved by the independent claims. The dependentclaims cover further specific embodiments of the invention.

The invention provides a device and a scanning method for use in anautomated analyser, wherein a scanning unit is enabled to move past andin front of an object and set two different focus levels with one andthe same drive unit in order to scan objects or codes on objects.

Objects to be scanned include any receptacle suitable for use inautomated analysers and may comprise a lid and/or a code. Codes may bechosen from the group comprising but not limited to one dimensionalcodes such as bar codes and two-dimensional codes as for example QRcodes, aztec codes and data matrices. Any code may adhere to the objectvia a label. Receptacles may be chosen from the group comprising but notlimited to containers, tubes and bottles. The objects usually contain asample and/or a reagent. A sample may be liquid or solid and stem from apatient for example. A reagent might be selected from the groupcomprising but not limited to solvents, aqueous solutions, buffers andother liquids. The reagents may further comprise enzymes, primers,nucleotides, adenosine triphosphates, and/or dyes. Buffers might bewithout limitation dissolving, washing, neutralizing, stabilizing and/orreaction buffers necessary for performing a chemical reaction.

The invention describes a device and a scanning method for use in anautomated analyser, wherein a drive unit, comprising a stepping motorand a toothed belt, moves a scanning unit. The scanning unit comprises acamera, a camera slide, two lamps, two lamp mounts, a deflection mirrormount with an oblong hole, two deflection mirrors and four pre-loadingguidance elements. Two of the pre-loading guidance elements areinstalled on the bottom side of camera slide and the other twopre-loading elements are installed on the bottom side of the deflectionmirror mount. The camera is positioned on a camera slide, wherein thecamera slide is moved along a linear guidance when driven by the driveunit. Furthermore, two lamps each mounted on a lamp mount are installedon the camera slide next to each side of the camera. The camera maycomprise a red filter to be used with appropriate lighting provided bythe lamps in order to reduce the influence of the surrounding light andprovide uniform conditions, thereby improving and simplifying imageprocessing carried out by an image processing software. The camera isfurther connected to a cable over the camera slide, wherein the cameraslide is connected to a cable guide containing the cable connected tothe camera. The cable guide may be an energy chain. The deflectionmirror mount comprising the deflection mirrors is connected to thecamera slide over the oblong hole. The deflection mirrors mounted on thedeflection mirror mount are thus moved together with the camera. Thelength of the oblong hole is defined over the distance between the twodesired focus levels.

The scanning unit and the drive unit are part of a scanning platformfurther comprising a linear guidance, a cable guide and a sensor forinitialization of the axis realized by the moving scanning unit guidedby the linear guidance. The scanning platform is positioned between tworacks comprising objects to be scanned. The objects are arranged in tworows and staggered to one another so that the objects in both rows canbe scanned. The objects are usually receptacles or containers containinga sample and/or reagent. The two deflection mirrors enable scanning ofthe objects on both sides of the scanning platform.

The scanning method comprises the steps of:

-   -   moving the scanning unit along the linear guidance to a first        position with the help of the drive unit;    -   fixing the deflection mirrors at said position;    -   adjusting the distance between the camera and the fixed        deflection mirrors if necessary, by moving the camera with the        help of the drive unit;    -   fixing the camera;    -   scanning an object and/or an ID code on an object by capturing        an image shown on the deflection mirrors with the camera;    -   processing the captured image;

The positioning can be controlled by an encoder. The position of thedeflection mirrors determines at what position in the rack a picture isto be captured and processed. The distance between the camera and themirror determines the object distance between each mirror and therespective object focused on. When the scanning unit is moved to a newposition, it is the deflection mirrors that are positioned in a firststep. Once the deflection mirrors are positioned correctly they arefixed over the pre-loading guidance elements. The deflection mirrors areheld in position by friction forces between the pre-loaded guidanceelements and the linear guidance. If necessary, the camera is then movedon the camera slide to the appropriate distance between deflectionmirrors and camera. The oblong hole defines the distance between the twofocus levels. The position of the camera is fixed over the pre-loadingguidance elements on the bottom side of camera slide.

Alternatively, a larger depth of field can be achieved by using a smallaperture and/or a very long focal length of the camera lens. When anaperture is used, effort and price for lighting increase, because muchmore light is needed. When a longer focal length is used, theinstallation space is drastically increased. Furthermore, multiplemirrors are possibly necessary to fold the beam, which in turn increasesthe complexity of the system.

Another alternative to deal with different focus levels is to use aliquid lens to focus the camera. Such a liquid lens can be deformed bythe application of a corresponding voltage, thus changing its focallength. Such a liquid lens requires its own drive electronics and inturn increases the complexity and price of the system.

The invention describes a mechanical solution to set two focus levelswith one drive only.

The present invention provides a device allowing to focus on bar codeslocated with a different distance to the mirrors by using the long holefor adjusting the distance between camera and deflecting mirrors. It isto be noted that the use of a V-shaped mirror having to reflecting sidesfor deflecting bar codes avoids the use of a movable mirror that can bedirected to opposite sides.

The advantages of the invention of the present disclosure can besummarized as follows:

-   -   a. The invention has simple mechanics    -   b. The invention has a lower risk of default    -   c. The invention has a smaller installation space    -   d. The invention leads to lower costs    -   e. The camera system of the invention enables for example:    -   reading of two dimensional codes    -   container presence detection    -   container type detection    -   determination of container dimensions    -   lid presence detection    -   lid type detection    -   fill level detection in the container    -   detection of code label shedding    -   detection of a damaged container

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described on the basis of the drawings. Itwill be understood that the embodiments and aspects of the inventiondescribed herein are only examples and do not limit the protective scopeof the claims in any way. The invention is defined by the claims andtheir equivalents. It will be understood that features of one aspect orembodiment of the invention can be combined with a feature of adifferent aspect or aspects and/or embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a top view of the scanning platform 10 according to theinvention positioned between two racks 1 comprising objects 2 to bescanned. The objects 2 are arranged in two rows and staggered to oneanother. The scanning platform 10 comprises a stepping motor 31positioned at one end of the scanning platform 10, a linear guidance 11parallel to the racks 1, a cable guide 12 parallel to the linearguidance 11, a sensor is not shown and a scanning unit 20 comprising acamera 21 positioned on a camera slide 23, two lamps 24 mounted on twolamp mounts 25 installed on the camera slide 23 next to each side of thecamera 21 and two deflection mirrors 26 mounted on a deflection mirrormount 27. The two lamps 24 are each oriented to the deflection mirrors.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the scanning platform 10 showing thecamera 21 positioned on the camera slide 23 and the two deflectionmirrors 26 connected to the camera slide 23, wherein the camera slide 23is positioned on the linear guidance 11, the stepping motor 31 ispositioned at the end of the scanning platform 10 and connected to thetoothed belt 32, and the cable guide 12 is connected to the camera 21over the camera slide 23 and runs parallel to the linear guidance 11.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the scanning unit without deflectionmirrors and mirror mounts showing the camera 21 with a red filter 22positioned on a camera slide 23 comprising two lamps 24 mounted on twolamp mounts 25 positioned on each side of the camera 21.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a side view of scanning unit 20 adjusted to twodifferent focus levels, wherein the camera slide 23 is connected to thedeflection mirror mount 27 comprising the deflection mirrors 26 over theoblong hole 28. The two different focus levels are characterized by thedistance between the camera 21 and the mirrors 26, wherein the oblonghole 28 defines the distance between the two focus levels. Pre-loadingguidance elements are arranged at the bottom of the scanning unit 20.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed, and modifications and variations are possibleconsidering the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of theinvention. The embodiment was chosen and described to explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application to enable oneskilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments asare suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that thescope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, andtheir equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documentsis incorporated by reference herein.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionhas been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseform disclosed, and modifications and variations are possibleconsidering the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of theinvention. The embodiment was chosen and described to explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical application to enable oneskilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments asare suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that thescope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, andtheir equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documentsis incorporated by reference herein.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 rack

2 object

10 scanning platform

11 linear guidance

12 cable guide

20 scanning unit

21 camera

22 red filter

23 camera slide

24 lamp

25 lamp mount

26 deflection mirror

27 deflection mirror mount

28 oblong hole

29 pre-loading guidance element

31 stepping motor

32 toothed belt

What is claimed is:
 1. A scanning method for use in an automatedanalyser, the method comprising the steps of: moving a scanning unitcomprising a camera positioned on a camera slide and one or twodeflection mirrors mounted on a deflection mirror mount with an oblonghole along a linear guidance to a first position with the help of adrive unit, wherein the camera slide is connected to the deflectionmirror mount over the long hole for adjusting the distance betweencamera and the one or two deflection mirrors; fixing the deflectionmirrors at said position; adjusting the distance between the camera andthe fixed deflection mirrors over the long hole to adjust the focuslevel, by moving the camera with the help of the drive unit; fixing thecamera; scanning an object and/or an ID code on an object by capturingan image shown on the deflection mirrors with the camera; processing thecaptured image.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingthe step of choosing the position in that the deflection mirrors arefixed such that the deflection mirrors catch the image of an objectand/or a code on an object.
 3. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of fixing the deflection mirrors at said positionwith a pre-loading guidance element installed at the bottom side of thedeflection mirror mount and fixing the camera with a pre-loadingguidance element installed at the bottom side of the camera slide. 4.The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step ofilluminating the object and/or code on the object to be scanned with alamp mounted on a lamp mount before the scanning step, wherein the lampmount is installed on the camera slide next to the side of the camera.5. The method according to claim 1, wherein moving steps are controlledby an encoder.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein one V-shapeddeflecting mirror with two angled deflecting sides is used fordeflecting bar codes located at opposite sides of the device.
 7. The useof a scanning device in an automated analyser system for scanning anobject or an ID code on an object, wherein the scanning devicecomprises: a camera; a camera slide; a drive unit one V-shapeddeflection mirror with two angled deflecting sides; and a deflectionmirror mount with an oblong hole; wherein the camera is positioned onthe camera slide and the V-shaped deflection mirror is mounted on thedeflection mirror mount and the deflection mirror mount is connected tothe camera slide over the oblong hole, defining the distance between twofocus levels between the camera and the V-shaped deflection mirror.